as the life preserver which was to help him through the troubled
waters to dry land, and so far he was as helplessly adrift as before.
Serena had forgiven his profane expression concerning her beloved
Chapter, that was true, but Serena also was "busy" during the days and
evenings, and at bedtime she was too tired to talk. Gertrude was with
her mother a great deal, and with Cousin Percy almost as much. They
visited the water-color exhibition together, and would have gone on
other excursions if the cousin had had his way. Daniel did not like Mr.
Hungerford. He had grown to tolerate him because Serena liked him so
much, and declared him such a help in her literary and political labors,
but the captain had found secret comfort in the belief that his daughter
did not like him any better than he did. Now it looked as if she was
beginning to like him, after all. And there was no doubt whatever that
Cousin Percy liked her.

Gertrude's apparent interest in her mother's social and Chapter affairs
was another disquieting feature of the situation, as Daniel viewed it.
Mrs. Black and Mrs. Lake called one afternoon and to them the young
lady was cordiality itself. They talked "Chapter," of course, and to
her father's horror Gertrude talked it, too. Being invited to attend the
next meeting she announced that she should be delighted to go.

"You didn't mean it, did you, Gertie?" pleaded the captain, when Serena
had escorted the guests to the door. "You didn't mean you was figgerin'
to go to that devilish--to that Chapter?"

"Hush! Yes, of course I meant it."

"But--but YOU!"

"Hush! Daddy, don't interfere. I know what I'm about."

Daniel was doubtful. If she had known she surely would not think of
going. And yet, on the evening of the meeting, go she did. The meeting
was a protracted one, and, on their return, Serena, finding the lower
rooms apparently deserted, went upstairs. Gertrude was about to follow,
but a figure stepped from the shadows of the library and detained her.

"Why, Daddy!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"Sh-sh!" in an agitated whisper. "Don't let your mother hear you.
I--I've been waitin' for you, Gertie. I just had to talk to you. Come in
here."

He led the way into the library.

"Don't say anything," he whispered; "that is, don't say very much.
Serena'll be wantin' to know where I am in a minute. Gertie, what are
you up to? WHY did you go to that Chapter?"

"Hush, Daddy, hush! It